World Communication Year, 1983

In 1977 the General Assembly of the United Nations suggested that a World Communication Year be proclaimed as part of the Transport and Communication Decade in Africa. Thus, in 1981, the General Assembly declared 1983 "World Communications Year: Development of Communications Infrastructure." The Assembly did this in recognition of the fundamental importance of communications infrastructures to the economic and social development of all countries. World Communications Year will give all countries an opportunity to review in depth their policies on communications development and to speed up the building of communications infrastructures. The United Nations views World Communications Year as "the beginning of a new era where every nation will be in a position to benefit from the services provided by equitably and harmoniously developed communications infrastructures." Its is hoped that during the year the world will vastly improve its communications network so that no one will be isolated from the local, national, or international community. To help accomplish these noble goals, a special fund will be built up with voluntary contributions from governments and other organizations. The money collected will fund specific projects for infrastructure development at national and regional levels. With its worldwide network of connections, the postal service has long been almost synonymous with communications. As such, it has much to contribute to make the goals of World Communications Year a reality. The postal service puts an end to isolation, promotes commerce, connects governments and people, facilitates the exchange of ideas, the culture and heritage of many nations. In Canada alone, Canada Post Corporation delivers over 6,000,000,000 pieces of mail a year. The economic and social development of all countries will therefore continue to depend on vigorous and effective postal systems. The World Communications Year stamp was designed by Raymond Bellemare of Montreal. The design features a symbolic multicolour globe surrounded by orbits suggesting the universal nature of communication and the impact of technical innovation.